Port Vale boss rued a lapse in concentration which handed victory to Peterborough United

That was certainly true at the start of both halves, but the hosts failed to take advantage and it was Posh who took the three points courtesy of a single goal by man in form Harry Leonard seven minutes from time.

Vale have now gone 10 league games without a win and are seven points adrift of 23rd-placed Doncaster at the bottom of the table.

“It’s a disappointing one because we wanted to get the three points today,” Moore said. ““We had a great start to the game on the front foot and finished the half really, really strongly. We came in at half-time and felt as a group that there was opportunities and chances there.

“It was just about keeping on the front foot in the second half. It became more of an even game, but then a lapse of concentration meant the pendulum was tipped in Peterborough’s favour and they won the game.

“We were in the ascendancy in the game. It’s another game where we have been really competitive, on the front foot, fighting for the cause, but again we switched off in that moment and they capitalised on it.

“I think we’ve been more or less in games like that all season really. If we could have capitalised on the first-half and got a goal it would have been a different story.

It was a fourth successive win for Posh at Vale Park, all without conceding a goal.